Barbara Duguid, author of Extravagant Grace, has been kind enough to take the time to answer some questions so we can all get to know her a little better.
- Tell us a little bit about yourself.
“I grew up as a missionary kid. I was born in Nigeria, and lived in various countries in South America until my family moved back to the US when I was 10 years old. From then on I was a Pastor’s kid and lived in New Jersey for a while and then moved to Michigan. I studied at Radford University, in Radford, VA, and finished my Medical Technology degree at the University of Virginia Medical Center in Charlottesville, Virginia. I returned to Africa to work as a Med Tech at the ELWA Hospital in Monrovia, Liberia. While there, I met my husband, Iain, who is a British citizen. Our relationship got off to a very rocky start due to cultural differences and stereotypes run amok. However, God first showed me that my heart is no problem for him when he caused me to fall madly in love with this charming young man and led us to be married in 1984.
Together Iain and I have lived in Philadelphia, Cambridge and Oxford, England, Jackson Mississippi, Escondido, California, and Grove City, PA. We have 6 outstanding children who are a joy and delight to us and have rapidly become our best friends as they have grown to adulthood. We have planted 3 churches, the first of which did not survive past the first 3 years. God has blessed Iain with the dual calling of pastor and professor, and this has been a great benefit to him and to our whole family. I consider it my greatest joy and honor to be a helper to my husband in all of his work as father, husband, professor, and minister of God’s word.
My husband and I love to watch movies and TV shows of all different kinds. One of the ways we like to enjoy our kids is by entering their worlds by watching their favorite shows with them, laughing with them and understanding what they love about each. We love to welcome people into our home, to eat with them and get to know them, so hospitality is a bit of a hobby for us. I love to cook and bake in spite of the occupational hazards which accompany these activities. I also love to eat, so this can be a problem!”
- What made you want to write this book?
“I am a very reluctant author. For many years my husband, and many others, encouraged me to refresh Newton’s thoughts in modern English. Although I enjoy writing, such a project seemed daunting to me and I preferred to refer interested folks to the writings of John Newton himself. However, I came to the growing awareness that Newton’s Olde English is a problem for many people, and I was more and more persuaded that these precious truths had great power to encourage weary believers.
When God brought my newest and oldest son, Wayne, into our lives, I watched with joy as these very doctrines gave hope and strength to this remarkable young man. Wayne also has the power of persuasion, and he urged me convincingly to write this book. Interestingly, it was when I lost my job at the local hospital that God cleared a pathway in my life to write. As a Medical Technologist, I prayed each day when I went to work that I would not make an error that would hurt someone. There came a day when God did not answer that prayer as I’d hoped. I made an error in reporting a test result, and it was the first in several errors, on the part of several medical professionals, which led to a woman being admitted to the hospital unnecessarily. By God’s grace she was not hurt or treated before the error was caught, but I lost my job and felt sad and embarrassed. It was a special time to lean upon the truths I had taught for many years, and to believe that God ordained this mistake for his mysterious purposes. As I look back, I can say quite confidently that I would never have written the book if I had not lost that job. I would never have had the time!”
- Who are your favorite authors?
“I love to read many of the great Puritan authors. For some reason, most contemporary Christian books just don’t come close to these writings in depth and impact. I also love reading the commentaries written by reformed pastors/scholars. I feel blessed by the knowledge which diligent scholarship brings to the scriptures, and I love the heart impact that comes from a strong pastoral application of the text. I love the writings of my own hubby, Iain Duguid, as well as every book that D. Ralph Davis has ever written.
Mystery and historical fiction are my 2 favorite genres in secular literature. I have particularly enjoyed the Lymond Chronicles, by Dorothy Dunnett. She was a brilliant author and native of Scotland who weaved fictional characters through historical events with stunning character development and astonishing plots! I still haven’t found another author who comes near to her in academic and literary skill.”
- Do you have an interesting writing quirk?
“My interesting quirk is that I love to write when my husband is nearby. For some reason, his presence inspires me and makes the process really fun. This can be a bit tedious for him, poor guy, but he is gracious to me and stoops to my weakness! We love to plan writing get-aways together when we sneak off to enjoy time alone, time writing together, and a few fun sites to visit.”
- What has been the toughest criticism given to you as an author? What has been the best compliment?
“I have been surprised by the overwhelmingly good response I have received toward the book. There have been one or two very negative reviews, but since I expected many more, I remain speechlessly delighted. I am still waiting for the big question, the one that makes the arguments fall apart, but so far have not discovered if there is one or what it is. I am not invested in persuading people of the value or truth of this book since I believe that is the Holy Spirit’s job. I believe I have met John Newton’s own burden of proof regarding truth claims. This book exalts Christ and humbles man, and so I am confident of its value to the church regardless of individual critiques.”
- What do you like to do when you’re not writing?
“I get a huge kick out of spending time with my kids. We love to sit around and talk, and we never lack for things to discuss. The kids keep us laughing and more engaged with the fun aspects of modern culture than we would otherwise be. It has been my greatest joy and privilege to be their mom and to participate in their physical and spiritual growth. It still takes my breath away!
I don’t like watching sports, which is unfortunate. My husband is a Rugby referee, but I fail to understand this game no matter how hard he tries to explain it. I love football one Sunday of the year, on Superbowl Sunday. I’m more interested in the food, commercials, and people, than I am in the game, but I do look forward to a good Superbowl party!
I love manicures and pedicures. I can’t really explain this phenomenon very well, but I get a ridiculously huge kick out of painted fingernails and toenails. What can I say? It’s not so easy to feel sexy when you’re 54, but Manis and Pedis help!
I love watching movies of many different genres. I love action films, romantic comedies, and mysteries. Two of my favorites are screen productions of Oscar Wilde plays, The Ideal Husband, and The Importance of Being Ernest. These are good for a laugh and can lead to some deeper discussions as well. I enjoy some modern adaptations of Shakespeare such as Twelfth Night, with Helena Bonham Carter, and Much Ado About Nothing (starring Emma Thompson and Kenneth Branaugh). I enjoy the genius of clever writers!”
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Barbara Duguid is a counselor and ministry assistant at Christ Presbyterian Church (ARP) in Grove City, PA where she crafts the weekly liturgy. She is a pastor’s wife and the mother of 6 children, and she holds an advanced certificate in biblical counseling from the Christian Counseling and Educational Foundation (CCEF) in Glenside, PA. Her husband, Iain Duguid is also a P&R author; we publish 7 of his books.
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